Airbus is a French aircraft manufacturing subsidiary of EADS, the European aerospace firm that produces more than half of the world’s jet airliners.
The firms have retained Hanover to provide public affairs counsel for their UK operations. Hanover replaces Good Relations Political, which has held the accounts for the past three years. The brief is thought to be worth £200,000.
The agency has been charged with enhancing the reputation and strategic positioning of Airbus and EADS with political stakeholders in the UK, focusing on Whitehall, Westminster and the devolved regions.
The news comes after EADS was forced to abandon its £30bn merger talks with BAE last month after the German Chancellor Angela Merkel personally intervened to block the deal.
It is understood that EADS has brought in fresh help because it felt there was ‘insufficient understanding’ of the depth of its business and the contribution it makes to manufacturing in the UK.
The Hanover team will also work to promote lesser-known EADS businesses Astrium, Cassidian, Eurocopter and Innovation Works.
